ECHDC Preparing to Break Ground on Ohio Street Project

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation held the second of three public meetings Thursday night to discuss the project to redesign Ohio Street.

The street will be reconstructed to connect Canalside with the Cobblestone District and the First Ward Neighborhood. Steve Ranalli, senior project manager, said construction will begin this fall with the removal of above-ground utility poles.

"We see Ohio Street as a significant waterfront corridor, linking downtown and the outer harbor, so to remove utility poles and overhead wires and put that all underground - that's good for the neighborhood, it's good for future development, it's good for the waterfront," Ranalli said.

The street will also be narrowed to provide more green space and new trails for biking and walking.